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Hong Kong Stock Market: Maogeping Soars 87% on Debut, Showing Strong PerformanceRomania's constitutional court on Friday cancelled the country's presidential election following allegations of Russian interference in favour of the far-right frontrunner, just two days ahead of the run-off. Romania's pro-EU President Klaus Iohannis said he would stay in his post until a new government that emerges from legislative elections last weekend can be formed to set a new presidential election date. Romanian authorities intervened after far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round of the election on November 24, a shock result in the EU and NATO member bordering Ukraine. On Wednesday, the presidency declassified documents detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including "massive" social media promotion and cyber-attacks. The court said it had unanimously decided "to annul the entire electoral process for the election of the president of Romania to ensure the correctness and legality of the electoral process." Georgescu, a former senior civil servant, had been due to face centrist mayor Elena Lasconi in Sunday's runoff. Lasconi, a former journalist, 52, called the court's decision "illegal, immoral... crushing the very essence of democracy". Fears had been raised that if Georgescu won, the country -- whose strategic importance has increased since Moscow invaded Ukraine -- would join the EU's far-right bloc and undermine European unity against Russia. While Bucharest streets were largely empty late Friday, without any protests taking place as far as AFP journalists could see, several people slammed the court's decision. "We are upset because this is a political game" to allow the losers to "get back in the game," said Marius Neagu, a 48-year-old salesman. Miruna Mihai, 25, said the decision "is a slap in the face of everyone who voted in this election" and risked "radicalising" Georgescu's supporters. Madalina Stroe, 34, working in the IT sector, welcomed it, however, saying she didn't want Romania "to go back in time to communism in case Georgescu was elected. I don't want us to lose our freedom". Outgoing Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu -- who lost in the first round of presidential elections -- welcomed the decision as "the only correct solution". Anti-corruption prosecutors on Friday said they have opened an investigation into "illegal operations with computer devices or software". Prosecutors are already probing "possible violations of electoral legislation" and "money laundering offences". In documents, drawn up for a security council meeting and published Wednesday, the authorities said data had "revealed an aggressive promotional campaign, in violation of electoral legislation, and an exploitation of algorithms to increase the popularity of Calin Georgescu at an accelerated pace". Last week authorities slammed "preferential treatment" of Georgescu by TikTok, which the social media platform has denied. The European Commission announced however that it had stepped up monitoring of TikTok's role in the elections. A separate intelligence services document stated that Romania is a "target for aggressive Russian hybrid actions, including cyberattacks and hacks and leaks and sabotage". On Monday, before the documents were released, Romania's constitutional court validated the first round presidential results. George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, slammed Friday's court ruling, calling it a "state coup in full swing", while urging party supporters to remain calm. Canceling the presidential elections is "an unprecedented and historic decision", political analyst Costin Ciobanu told AFP. It "deepens uncertainty and polarisation within Romanian society, raising serious concerns about the strength of Romania's institutions and democracy," he added. Georgescu, 62, shot into the limelight with his performance in the first round of voting. Having praised Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, he has recently avoided answering questions about him being pro-Russian. A critic of the EU and NATO, he says he does not want to leave either group but wants to put Romania "on the world map". Like his idol US president-elect Donald Trump, he is opposed to military aid to Ukraine. While the president's post is largely ceremonial, the head-of-state has moral authority and influence on Romania's foreign policy. The president also designates the prime minister -- a key role especially since legislative elections last weekend returned a fragmented parliament. The governing pro-European Social Democrats won the vote, but far-right parties made strong gains, together securing a third of the ballots. Since the fall of Communism in 1989, Romania has never seen such a breakthrough by the far right, fuelled by mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine. bur-jza/gvOne of the key reasons for the decline in the allure of ancient costume dramas is the prevalence of homogenization within the genre. With numerous productions flooding the market each year, many of these dramas have become formulaic in their storytelling, character development, and visual aesthetic. The repetitive plots, stereotypical characters, and recycled themes have led to a sense of déjà vu among audiences, making it difficult for them to distinguish one drama from another. As a result, the once unique and captivating appeal of ancient costume dramas has been diluted, leading to a decrease in viewer interest and engagement.
In light of this tragedy, it is essential for both consumers and practitioners to prioritize safety, transparency, and professionalism in all aspects of alternative therapy. By educating themselves about the potential risks and benefits of different treatments, individuals can make informed decisions and advocate for their own health and well-being. Likewise, therapists and practitioners must commit to ongoing training, ethical practices, and a deep understanding of human anatomy to avoid causing harm to their clients.The man in question, who shall remain unnamed for legal reasons, had worked for the company for several years before succumbing to the allure of his own inflated self-image. Fueled by a toxic combination of arrogance and insecurity, he hatched a plan to siphon off funds from the company's accounts, all in the name of elevating his status and fulfilling his fantasies of power and prestige.
In a significant blow to the cybercrime underworld, European law enforcement agencies have successfully shut down the notorious underground hacker marketplace Manson Market. This operation led to the arrests of two primary operators of the illegal platform, who were allegedly involved in facilitating cybercriminal activities amounting to over 250,000 euros.The clash of titans at the Emirates Stadium is not limited to the battles on the pitch. The stadium has also hosted numerous high-profile events, including concerts, corporate functions, and community outreach programs. This versatility and adaptability demonstrate the Emirates Stadium's status as a true multi-purpose venue that caters to a diverse range of audiences.Looking ahead, the future trajectory of the Chinese yuan remains uncertain. While the recent surge in value has caught many by surprise, the currency's long-term performance will be influenced by a complex interplay of economic, political, and market factors. Chinese authorities will need to navigate carefully to ensure the stability and competitiveness of the yuan, while also promoting sustainable economic growth and financial resilience.
In conclusion, the PBOC's decision to increase its gold reserves is a strategic move that reflects the central bank's commitment to prudent risk management and portfolio diversification. As global economic conditions remain uncertain, central banks are likely to continue reassessing their reserve allocations and exploring new ways to safeguard their wealth. Gold, with its enduring allure and proven track record, will undoubtedly continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of central bank reserves.And their hard work paid off. Word of their delectable meatballs spread like wildfire, drawing crowds of hungry patrons to their humble stall. Lines formed around the block, as people eagerly waited for a taste of their mouth-watering creation. With each bite, they could taste the love, dedication, and sheer determination that went into every morsel.
In light of these events, legal professionals have emphasized the importance of understanding one's rights and legal options in situations where personal safety and well-being may be compromised. As such, affected individuals are encouraged to seek legal counsel to explore avenues for potential compensation and redress.
None(Bloomberg) -- Adobe Inc. fell in extended trading after giving a disappointing annual sales outlook, underscoring anxieties that the creative software company may lose business to emerging artificial intelligence-based startups. Most Read from Bloomberg Brace for a Nationwide Shuffle of Corporate Headquarters American Institute of Architects CEO Resigns Cloud Computing Tax Threatens Chicago’s Silicon Valley Dream San Francisco, Paris Named Best Cities for Urban Transportation City Hall Is Hiring Revenue will be about $23.4 billion in the fiscal year ending in November 2025, the company said Wednesday in a statement. Earnings, excluding some items, will be $20.20 a share to $20.50 a share. Analysts, on average, estimated sales of $23.8 billion and adjusted profit of $20.52 a share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Adobe, known for its software for creative professionals, has been adding generative AI features to its applications, such as embedding its proprietary model, Firefly, into products like Photoshop. The company unveiled an AI tool to create videos during its annual user conference in October, which has been integrated into editing app Premiere and is slowly rolling out to the wider public. The software maker will soon introduce a “new higher-priced Firefly offering,” which includes video models, David Wadhwani, who leads the company’s creative business, said on a conference call after the results were released. A closely watched metric of new creative software business — digital media net new annual recurring revenue — will increase 11% in the fiscal year, in line with estimates. Factored into guidance “is an ongoing strategy to introduce new tiered subscription offerings and add-ons,” Chief Financial Officer Dan Durn said during the call. Adobe’s outlook may be conservative due to “the uncertain pace at which AI usage may take root,” wrote Anurag Rana, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. The shares fell almost 9% in extended trading after closing at $549.93 in New York. The stock has dropped 7.8% this year, lagging behind software peers and industry benchmarks. Investors have voiced recurring anxieties that AI-based creative tools from firms like OpenAI or Runway AI could take market share from Adobe. While company executives and customers tout the value of Adobe’s new AI tools, “investors aren’t feeling that excitement,” Keith Weiss, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, said on the conference call. In the fiscal fourth quarter, Adobe reported that sales increased 11% to $5.61 billion. Profit, excluding some items, was $4.81 a share. Analysts, on average, projected earnings of $4.67 a share on revenue of $5.54 billion. The company ended the quarter with digital media annual recurring revenue of $17.3 billion, slightly ahead of the average analyst estimate. The digital media unit, which includes Adobe’s flagship creative and document-processing software, posted a 12% increase in sales to $4.15 billion in the quarter ended Nov. 29. Revenue from the unit that includes marketing and analytics software rose 10% to $1.4 billion. Integration of Firefly into applications across the company’s products “is driving record customer adoption and usage,” Chief Executive Officer Shantanu Narayen said. Firefly has been used over 16 billion times, he added. On Monday, OpenAI made its video-generating model Sora available to those already paying for its chatbot ChatGPT. Wadhwani said Adobe’s video model will become “more broadly available in early 2025.” Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Grand Theft Auto VI Will Rule the Video Game Industry in 2025 Biden Made This Billionaire Much Richer. The Bonanza Could End With Trump Early Adopters Are Ditching Google Search for AI Chatbots Trump’s Manufacturing Revival Doesn’t Add Up for These Businesses Trump Agenda Won’t Hurt Global Economy as Much Next Year as in 2026 ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.